Taking big steps for education

We accept the importance of education for all but what about the children living under the poverty line? There are just a few organisations educating the less privileged and ignored section of our society. YOU explore their activities and efforts...

By Abeera Khan

Education is the key to progress for any nation and every child deserves to get at least some primary or basic education. If this was possible, it would be a great achievement but in reality the situation is quite appalling. In Pakistan, the literacy rate is below 30 per cent and the educational facilities are sorely lacking in many regions. The majority of illiterate people are one of the main reasons why our country is unable to grow economically and socially. Those who can afford private schools give their children some form of 'good' education, while the majority can't. So they send their children to the badly run government institutions, where the teachers cannot or will not teach. And then there is the large portion of the population that doesn't want to send their children to school; they argue that their children don't need to have 'big fancy ideas' put into their heads when they have to continue in the same profession that their ancestors delved in. And if they managed a 'career' without education so will their children. In a situation, where the mindset of the majority is that educating one's children is detrimental for their children's future it is a extremely difficult task to convince these people that education is everyone's right and every endeavour made to provide it. However, there are a few organisations that have taken up this almost Herculean task of spreading education among the masses.

Agha Khan Education Services Pakistan (AKESP) is a non-profit organisation working for the development of value based education and training of underprivileged children. To achieve this goal, AKESP has established over 180 schools from remote far-lung areas of Broghil (Chitral) to the southern parts of Karachi.

AKESP's main focus is to spread the same standards of education to the ignored communities of secluded areas. "We follow the national curriculum and many students from Agha Khan educational services have gone abroad to study under the student's exchange programme. We offer scholarships as well as career guidance for the students to opt for the right profession," says Rafia Khan, who works in the AKESP (Monitoring Evaluation and Research) department.

Supporting female education, they have special scholarships for girls so that they can also profit from this opportunity. This programme has helped change the attitude of the people of the Northern region making them more receptive towards women literacy.

Shahzadi from Hunza took part in the YES Exchange Programme under which she went to United States of America and stayed with a decent family for nearly a year. She shares, "After my experience there, I realised that I can carve a niche for myself too. I aspire to become a cardiologist and I will make sure that I achieve my goal."

AKESP also conducts teachers' training programmes to ensure the quality of coaching. Some of the teachers are their own graduates, which is a move towards providing employment too. They even provide financial assistance to the needy students so that they can continue their studies.

Family Educational Services Foundation (FESF) was  founded in 1984 with an aim to strengthen the educational infrastructure that includes training of teachers and improving the standard of education. The Foundation is currently working on a number of programmes for hearing and speech impaired children. Among these institutes is Deaf Reach School, Karachi, which provides free education to deaf students from all segments of society, specifically from lower income groups - ranging from the age group of five to 14.

"Special children have to be dealt with extra care and sensibility. Unfortunately parents here are usually unaware of the sensitivity of the situation. For this purpose we conduct workshops for parents where they learn communication and parenting skills,î informs Mary Riek, one of the founders of FESF.

The Deaf Reach Training Centres in Karachi and Lahore emphasises on IT training, communication and literacy skills, sewing, embroidery and other handicrafts so that they can support their families and become productive members of the community. After graduation, for those students interested in teaching, teacher-training programmes are offered so that they know what they are getting into. Right now, they have eight teachers at Deaf Reach among whom five are deaf. 

The biggest challenge is to convince the parents to send their special children to school, as most of them think that it's pointless for their child to receive any sort of education if he/she has an impairment. On the contrary, such children need to be motivated to go forward and be a part of 'normal' society.

Disabled children lack opportunities maybe because none are created for them. FESF offers job replacement where they help their students find employment. Projects like Cupola/KFC are introduced in which three restaurants were established throughout the country consisting of deaf employees.

The main source of funding for this programme is through local sponsorship of concerned individuals, the corporate sector and philanthropists.

During summers, FESF also conducts the SOS Summer Camp for orphans and deaf children. Volunteers, mainly from the age group of 16 to 23, are trained for this camp.

Classes are conducted on team building, leadership skills, deaf awareness and topics related to teaching children, such as motivation, communication skills and classroom control and discipline. During the workshops the attendees prepare activities for the children, make daily schedules, visit sites for excursions and help fundraising for the project. Ali Noorani and Shah Bibi, both deaf teachers of the Deaf Reach School, teach basic sign language so that the volunteers are able to properly communicate with the deaf children.

The camp provides recreational along with educational and vocational activities for the children to boost their confidence and self-esteem. They offer fabric painting, embroidery, flower arrangements and cooking classes for girls while, for boys they have carpentry classes, first aid lessons, mechanics, guitar lessons, computer classes, public speaking and more. The younger students are usually involved in arts, sports and drama.

These may seem like small acts but they sure make a difference in a child's life. Children should not be denied the right of education at any cost just because they have a disability and do not belong to affluent families. It's about time everyone makes a move and takes some concrete steps to provide education to more people. If you can sponsor the education of even a single child, that would be a big step towards the progress of our nation.

Need for closure

Friends give you strength and help you stand firm, facing all the adversities of life. But when these friends ditch you for no apparent reason, you lose the support that held you firm and fall down hard on the floor 

By Lubna Jerar Naqvi

We all need friends, since humans are by large gregarious by nature. Of course there are hermits who don't like interference, which includes people, relationships and work in their lives. While some friendships become stronger with time, there are some that wane and dissolve out of our lives forever. Sometimes the splinters from a relationship dig deeply into your soul, mainly because that particular friend was extremely dear to you and you lost him/her for no apparent reason and they are not letting on what caused the break despite your asking them a zillion times. This causes a lot of agony, but time heals these wounds and you move on armed with distrust when befriending the next person. 

There are all kinds of friendships, some are sustainable and carry on even if you do not meet that person, you simply fall into the comfort of each other's company whenever you meet. This kind of friendship is the best kind and allows you to be yourself and enjoy yourself thoroughly.

Friendships formed during the formative years of one's life are usually more enduring if they continue later on in life. You have grown up together and share more memories than with other friends. And sometimes you meet someone and immediately form a relationship with that person without much effort. Such relationships could be enduring if you 'click' or could even be short-lived. It actually depends on your lifestyle, mood and temperament.

Being able to make friends is healthy, and children should be encouraged from an early age to make friends. Training children to make friends is easy; however we cannot make them stay in a friendship if we don't want to nor can we teach them not to break off with a friend. These things happen, whether we want them or not. But there should be some kind of explanation given for this so that everyone involved is aware what has happened. That is the least we owe to our friends, or ex-friends for that matter. But sometimes a friend just backs off and drops all connections with you for no apparent reason; they will not talk to you, not take your calls, not meet mutual friends and will not give you closure. You can't think of anything that could have caused your friend to put an end to your friendship, and it is particularly frustrating when they won't even tell you what happened.

Sonia and Maryam had been friends since they were in college and even after they married they managed a relationship in which their husbands were also included, so their friendship continued. Then suddenly, Sonia sent Maryam an SMS and declared that their friendship was over, and that they must never meet again. Maryam demanded an explanation for the sudden cessation of their 20-year-old friendship, but Sonia didn't give any. Maryam was devastated, she could not believe that such a long friendship could be wrapped up so abruptly without giving her a chance to assimilate the situation. She tried to convey her hurt to Sonia, but she came up against it as a stonewall. It was apparent that Sonia didn't want nor cared to continue any kind of communication with Maryam. This episode has shaken Maryam's belief in friendship since she is the type of person who has always cherished her friends; it has made her wary to make new friends now, as she is always expecting to be dumped whenever it pleases the other person.

If one has invested a considerable time in a friendship, and one day decides to break ties with one's friends, it is only fair that the one being dumped should be given the respect and consideration of being informed why the relationship is ending.

Shahid and Shazia were best friends despite their gender difference. Shahid never considered Shazia to be a girl and vice versa, in fact it was more of a sibling relationship. The two heard their share of reproaches from their family and friends, since this was socially weird, but they managed over time to convince everyone that their friendship was only that - friendship. They shared everything with each other and not a day went by that the two didn't meet or talk, they were so close. In fact, some of Shahid's friends would envy him for this relationship with Shazia and wished they had such a friend. But good things seldom last, and the relationship was adversely affected when Shahid fell in love with a beautiful girl. Like always Shazia was used as a link to get through to this new girl, and she would have to go on their dates with them, not that she minded at all, so that the girl could use her as a shield. In the process people started making stories about their relationship, which they laughingly brushed aside mainly because they were untrue. What they didn't realise was that in the process Shazia's reputation was being put in the spotlight. But they were too young to care for such things and there was more to this problem than they thought. The new girl in Shahid's life didn't like the closeness that he shared with Shazia. She was always there, knew everything and he discussed his serious problems with her as well. It would have been okay if Shazia had been a guy, which was understandable. But Shazia wasn't a boy, she was a girl and she had more 'control' and 'knowledge' about her best friend than any other girl should have, except a girlfriend.

This must have been frustrating for Shahid's new girlfriend, but she was sure that if she objected they would end up fighting, as they always did if she ever said anything about Shazia. But Shazia was becoming a thorn in this relationship, her friendship was 'abnormal' - women and men were not made to be friends, it was unnatural. So Shahid's girlfriend started planting the idea in his mind that Shazia was in fact in love with him, which was not surprising since Shahid was the complete man. In the beginning, he didn't absorb this but as time passed he saw every friendly gesture that would have been considered normal before, as a romantic hint. In the end he went and confronted Shazia on this. She was shocked and vehemently protested and was openly supported by Shahid's girlfriend not allowing any suspicion to rise in Shazia's mind that she was in fact behind this thought. This episode left a deep impression in their friendship, and they slowly drifted apart until their friendship ended on a bad note.

So, next time you decide that you cannot continue a relationship and can't reconcile, at least give your friend the dignity of closure for old (and good) times' sake.

Best Friends

By Christa

Funny how friends say forever,

people never seem to stay together

You told me not to worry, told me not to cry,

you said we were best friends, it was a lie.

I'm here still pretending not to care,

pretending I don't notice you're never there.

To have a bond like we did was amazing,

but you picked a boy over that, over me, just replacing.

You hurt me so bad you will never know,

and the pain I keep inside I will never show.

You'd probably see it if you just tried,

and know how many nights I have cried.

But don't worry I'll be fine,

I'm not the one who left all my friends behind.

Courtesy: Internet

Look Lustre

Pull out your straightening iron and draw a line down the middle of your head. The straight, sleek look and middle-part complemented the sexiness of the clothes.

This year hair is all about lightness and simplicity.  No heavy settings, overdone curls, or fussy styling, the looks are wearable and easy to do...

Longer hair will always be part of the fashion mode and today's longer, more feminine looks are not super-long and ultra-straight - most feature layers that allow hair to fall perfectly in place.

Get the look...

This year hair is all about lightness and simplicity.  No heavy settings, overdone curls, or fussy styling, the looks are wearable and easy to do. Flip through your favourite hairstyle magazine for your favourite style then try out the secret many salons are sharing. When in doubt, try doing a search online for your favourite celebrity to see what she's wearing. If you don't have a favourite celebrity, you can search online to see who's popular. Chances are you'll come across celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Hillary Duff and Jessica Simpson who are always in style with the latest hair trends. Also hit the local magazine racks for a variety of hairstyle magazines. Here you can find everything from celebrity magazines to hairstyle magazines. You can also drop by your local salon and talk to your hairstylist who can guide you to the latest style that is right for you. For a celebrity copycat look, check out Sadia Imam who is wearing long hair extensions especially for this beauty shoot.

Hair straighteners...

Hair straigheners have become an essential beauty item for many women across the world in the last decade, but the concept of straightening irons is not a new one. In the 1960's, women used to painstakingly iron their hair to get that poker straight look, and this trend continued well into the 1970's before the 1980's made big and curly hairstyles fashionable. However, the beauty of modern hair straighteners is that they can actually be used for almost any sort of hairstyle - from creating dead straight hair to giving your mop a vintage curl that will make heads turn. However, just as many naturally straight-haired women are aching to enjoy the bouncy freedom of ringlets - and modern straightening iron technology lets you create curly or wavy hair just as well as straight hair. But whatever hairstyle you choose to create for yourself with straightening irons, remember the golden rule of straightening: stay safe! Invest in a good heat-protecting spray to maintain the long-term healthiness of your hair.

Hair extensions...

Hair extensions seem to be the rage this season. It's a popular technique that's used all over the world. Many celebrities use this technique to change their hairstyles to suit various occasions. In fact, the key to all celebrity fabulous hair is the clever use of hair extensions, carefully blended to match exactly with their own hair. (Check out pretty Sadia). 

Hair extensions are an easy and effective method of increasing the length and volume of your hair - without having to wait for a long time. Hair extensions are available in various colours and textures. The process of attaching hair extensions includes fusion, clamping, weaving or bonding. Caring for hair extensions is a bit different from caring for natural hair. Some things that you should know about extensions:

* Choose a brush with soft bristles. Brush your hair from the bottom and gently work your way up.

* Gently tie your hair up while sleeping.

* Do not colour your own hair extensions at home.

* To prevent tangling, run your fingers through the braid extensions.

 * Don't spray your extensions with conditioners or any silicone based products as they can cause the braids to slip.

You can have it too!

There is a myth that older women should never wear long hair. This myth says that they should have a hairstyle that is more appropriate to their age. Forget about it. Longer hair and older women can go together if one can carry and manage long tresses. Age doesn't matter. Good examples are Elizabeth Hurley, Susan Sarandon, Bernadette Peters, Bebe Neuwirth, Stevie Nicks, Valerie Bertinelli, etc. They all have long hairstyles and look fantastic. Older women can wear long hairstyles as long as they flatter them. There is a wide variety of looks and hairstyles for older women. You can simply let your hair loose or wear them up. You can even try out a simple, smooth twist. Add curls for a voluminous look, or you can flat iron it for a super-sleek style. Hair styles for older women can also include half-up-styles, ponytails, braids, etc. Try to get some layers that will frame your face nicely.

Credits:

Coordination:

Umer Mushtaq

Hair, Makeup,

Photography & Styling:

Akif Ilyas

Model:

Sadia Imam

Compilation:

Farisa Jerar Naqvi

It's o.k. to sweat

There's a misconception that sweating results in weakness, fatigue and bad body odour. Whereas in reality sweating helps in marinating your body mechanism. It actually acts as a natural detoxifier too...  

By Amna Sandhu

There are certain people who are over sensitive about just a few droplets of sweat on their face as they firmly believe that sweating results in weakness, fatigue, pimples, low glucose level and blood pressure. But, we have a different belief to propagate. Several health and nutrition related articles reveal that sweating to some extent is good for body functioning. If you don't really buy our idea then we have some explanations to prove ourselves right.

The oldest medical document in Sanskrit, Ayurveda (568 BC) prescribed sweat baths to induce perspiration. Sweat baths are meant to clean the body by making it perspire at high temperature. They can be moist - steam baths; or dry - sauna baths. 

Today, medicine support the fact that heat generated during sweating helps in relaxation of chronic arthritis pain, headaches, common cold and just about anything that makes us feel sick. Apparently, during this process our skin temperature raises mimicking fever, but surprisingly our inner body temperature is maintained. Thus, our body organs become active as if we are doing some physical activity like jogging or exercising. Noticing this 'fever phenomenon', famous Greek Physician, Hippocrates said, "Give me fever and I can cure any disease."

With no arguments, fever is not a cure for every disease but it is a fact that most of the bacterial and viral agents can't survive at higher temperature resulting in cure of many diseases. 

Of late we have adopted a sedentary lifestyle i.e we simply don't sweat enough. In blistering summer we try to avoid perspiration and prefer to stay in air-conditioned rooms or else we get irritated. But actually sweating acts both as a 'coolant' and a 'judicious garbage collector'. On hot days it makes us feel cool and comfortable through evaporation - making the heat bearable.

In addition, sweat contains elements which should be excreted from the body. That's why skin is sometimes referred as the 'third kidney'. Mainly 99 per cent of what we sweat is water and it is the remaining one per cent that do wonders! Around fifteen minutes of profuse sweating can expel metals like copper, zinc, sodium, lead and mercury that our body absorbs from polluted surroundings. During perspiration, the body's need of oxygen increases by approximately 20 per cent. This rapid exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen helps the body to get rid of respiratory wastes.

The salts that are carried out of the body help in alleviating mild hypertension and helps in improving the muscle stiffness problems. Hence, it is estimated that 30 per cent of bodily wastes are eradicated by perspiration.

While sweating, the mechanism of equilibrium goes on in the body. Blood vessels widen, permitting more flow towards the skin to disperse inner heat. This is an attempt to maintain equilibrium between the heating and cooling processes of the body.

Sweating also results in weight loss, something every woman would like to follow. Actually, the body fats become soluble at 43 degree celsius and can be easily sweated out resulting in weight loss. 

All the above mentioned benefits of sweating are workable for both males and females. However, there are some advantages that are only meant for women.

During menstruation sweating helps lessen the cramp pain. Moreover, menopause can also be eased by sweating. It is strongly believed that menstruation not only eliminates uterine lining but it is an eliminative cycle of body. Upon its cessation, body necessities find other ways to get rid of toxic accumulations. Thus, sweating allows trimming down some general symptoms and distress resulting from menopause.

In addition, it acts as a natural detoxifier too. Sweating facilitates deep cleansing and results in textured, toned and improved colour of skin.

In contrast to all the benefits, there is a well-believed misconception that sweat causes 'bad body odour'. Instead, it is found that perspiration is odourless. The smell that is created is because of the bacteria we attract from the environment and its growth is promoted by moisture of our body. This can be easily avoided by taking showers after short intervals and by regular use of deodorants.

Talking about dehydration due to sweating, you can replenish the lost fluids by drinking approximately three litres (12 glasses) of water every day. It is also recommended to add extra salt in their diet to restock it.

In brief, try to minimise sweating instead of completely avoiding it. We ascertain that at times it can be embarrassing but don't let it get over you. It's just another body function significant for our survival. So, from now on keep this note in the back of your mind that you are not sweating but detoxifying your body. It will make you feel fresh, energised and relaxed.

Letters

Dear Nadine,

I am a 26-year-old girl. I've done masters and am working in a bank. Two years ago, I got involved with J, who is my friend's brother. He is not only good looking, but well educated, too. My family has known his family for a long time and so when he proposed to me, I did not foresee the usual samaj ki diwaar. I said 'yes' to J, and asked him to talk to his parents about me. I also told my mother about J's proposal, and she was quite happy because she likes J and his family. We started waiting for a call or visit from his parents, but to our disappointment J made no contact with my family or me. I called J's sister and asked her what was happening because she was our confidant. Her response completely shattered me. J's nikah was read with his phupoo's daughter, while he was a child, by his father! He was so young at that time that he did not have any recollection of this event. My friend told me that J was refusing to accept this nikah, but her parents couldn't break it off as J's older sister was married to that girl's older brother.

I cannot express in words the despondence that I felt and told my mother about the whole issue. My parents discussed the matter and said that they would never accept a person who is already married. They asked me to forget J. Nadine, I cannot do that. I feel life has no meaning without him. He is asking me to contract nikah with him in secret, since the whole world is against our love. He said that once it is done, his parents would have to accept it. He is not willing to consider the effects on his sister's marriage.

I am feeling torn between my desire to marry him and the cold logic that asks me not to do it. Financially, we would be all right, but I am afraid of the repercussions. What should I do? 

Lost Soul

Dear Lost Soul,

Let me first commend you on taking such a rude shock so bravely. You seem to possess a very sound mind, which is a great blessing. A lesser girl would have cried herself hoarse at the unjustice of fate, but you have kept your wits and are thinking rationally about the problem. My dear, no doubt that what happened was unfortunate. You loved him and find the prospect of life without him difficult, but you must steel yourself to do just that. Your parents, who seem to be wise, understanding and compassionate have given you very good advice. J is already married, and that, too, with his sister's sister-in-law. Even if he marries you in the emotional turmoil that he is, it would only spell disaster. His sister's life would be adversely affected, which would turn his parents against you. It would also create tension in your relationship with J. It was not very honourable of J to ask you to marry him in secret. Far from solving your problem, it would bring the matter to a head. His parents would not accept such a marriage and would do everything in their power to get it broken.

So why jeopardise your life and future happiness? You are still young and I am sure that with a little effort on your part, you will resign yourself to the fact that J is not for you. Any ill advised action taken by you will destroy your chances of future happiness. Tell J that if he is so sincere about his love, he should convince his parents to break off the childhood nikah and give him a time frame to do that. If he is not able to do that, consider yourself morally free to forget him! In time you will find some one suitable. Good luck!

Dear Nadine Khan,

I am a 25-year-old boy. I want to share a personal problem with you and hope to get a solution for it. About six or seven months ago, I got a message on my mobile phone from a wrong number. That number was of a girl called Motto. We started communicating and with the passage of time came very close to each other.

It became our routine to talk daily for about an hour. During that period I appeared for ISSB and since the candidates are not allowed to use phones, I was unable to talk to her. This affected my concentration and I didn't do my best in the tests.

Recently, her annual result was announced and she secured only 65 per cent. Since the day of the announcement of her result, she has cut off her contact with me because she thinks her grades fell because of our relationship.

Dear Nadine, I am very upset because I love her and cannot prepare for my CSS examination properly. Tell me what should be my next step. I cannot lose her, because I love her more than myself, but her aims are also dear to me.

S. Ali

Dear S. Ali,

If you don't want to lose her, my first advice for you is to grow up. You see, when you call yourself a boy, at the age of 25, it shows that in the core of your heart you are still a kid! Had you been serious about making a life with her, you would have given more attention to your exams. Still, it's not too late and you can still make up for the lost time. To brush through CSS, you must become very serious about your studies and forget Motto for the time being. It seems that the girl is serious about her studies and has managed to see the daylight. That is why she stopped talking to you on the phone. She realises the importance of studies, and so should you!

Once you are both established you can try to re-kindle the old flames. If you still feel the same way after establishing yourself, you should go ahead and get married.

Respected Prof,

I am a 15 year-old girl studying in a prestigious school. As I am doing my O' Levels, I need good teachers to secure the best grades. But teachers in my school are not good and I don't want to take tuitions. In our city, there is new school and they have hired some excellent teachers. Most of my class fellows have joined that school, as it is giving out good results too.  My problem is that I want to go to that school, but since it's unknown my parents and I are a bit reluctant about joining a totally unknown school. My parents have plans to send me abroad for higher studies. So, would I be faced with problems if I join a new school? Please reply soon as I don't have a lot of time to decide the matter.

Confused Girl

Dear Confused Girl,

If that new school has good teachers, you should join it immediately. You will not face any problems on account of this school being unknown or new, as long as you secure good grades. If you are planning to study abroad, your grades will be recognised; the foreign institutions will not care which school you come from as long as you are able to satisfy the required criteria for their admission process. Just study hard and get as many A's, as possible. Best of luck!

YOU&ME
Nadia Hussain

Read on as You! shares this week a bit from its own slam book with a twist - the one-liners are from Nadia Hussain, the lady who has tried it all from modeling to acting... 

Interviewed by

Fatima Zakir

Admit it girls, we all fancy our celebs. The glitz of their glamorous world attracts us - what they wear, where they shop, what they dream of, their love-interests, their favourite things - we love to get the scoop. Keeping this in mind, from time to time You! is going to share some interesting tete-a-tete with popular celebrities.

This time around, we were lucky enough to get hold of pretty and tall Nadia Hussain - a model who matches the international standard. A dentist by profession, and a mother of two, Nadia is a perfect combination of model-cum-mum. When on ramp she stirs the crowd with her electrifying presence. She has even tried hosting for a show on TV by the name of 'Razz matazz'. Let's take a look at her likes and dislikes...  

My biggest asset:

My height

I wish I could:

Travel all over the world

One person I would love to dine out with:

Madonna

My worst nightmare:

Getting dependent on someone

One thing I hate about myself:

I love to eat

Something I would like to remember:

My past

My strength:

My patience and endurance

My weakness:

Brownies

I regret:

Nothing

I feel over cloud nine when:

People compliment my kids

The most embarrassing moment of my life:

When my mother-in-law, who is a doctor by profession, gave me a tetanus injection

Something that I am strongly possessive about:

My space

I get turned on by:

Good smell and intelligence

When feeling low I prefer:

To be pampered

The most unforgettable moment of my life was:

My 25th birthday which I celebrated on my honeymoon

What touches me the most:

Poverty

If I could be another person I would like to be:

Angelina Jolie

What bores me the most:

 Small talks

Which one will you prefer: music videos, fashion shows or TV hosting:

Fashion shows, then music videos and then hosting

My message:

Live and let others live too!

 

Chatter Matter
Cast me if you can!

After the release of Awarapan in Pakistan, the Mukesh Bhatt - Suhail Khan duo has started work on their upcoming venture, Jannat. For the leading roles, they have decided to sign Pakistani talent with Shan, Moammar Rana or Babar Ali in consideration. But the problem is that Shan and Babar Ali are not much in the favour of co-productions. Lately, Shan has been giving hostile statements about Indian movies and the release of Awarapan in Pakistan. In fact, he has declined a few offers from across the border too. We can't really hope Shan to work in a co-production now… can we? Anyways, Suhail Khan has left the final decision to be made by Mukesh Bhatt which will be made when he visits Pakistan. Till then, we can just keep our fingers crossed!

Bravo! Majajan team

Those clamouring for the lack of good quality films and the demand of releasing Indian films in the country have unfortunately overlooked the fact that Punjabi film Majajan has completed its 176 weeks and is still running successfully in the cinema houses all around the country. It is after some time that a Lollywood film has created such an appreciable records. But, somehow we ignored its success story from silver jubilee to diamond jubilee. Producer Saima, who happens to be the leading lady of the movie too, is extremely happy with the movie's business and shares the credit with Shan, Madeeha Shah and of course the director Syed Noor. Hmmm, seems our industry is moving towards betterment. Don't they deserve a standing ovation? Well, we are here to give you that. Bravo, the Majajan team!

Dharmendra wants peace

Bollywood actor Dharmendra has promised that his son, Sunny Deol, will not work in an anti-Pakistan film from now on. He said a Pakistani film delegation met him and other family members in Mumbai and complained that Sunny Deol's working in anti-Pakistan films is painful for the across the border Bolly lovers. Dharmendra has assured it will not happen again. In fact, Sunny is playing the role of a patriotic Pakistani soldier in his upcoming movie Kafila and that too, on his father's insistence. He is even producing a movie on the theme of Indo-Pak friendship which will have both Sunny and Bobby on screen together. Ah! So much for the peace process. Hope all the good work and wishes bear some sweet fruit for both neighbours.

Food for Thought

What makes the food taste better and scrumptious? Yes, it's the salad! This week You! along with Maryam Baqir brings a yummy Russian salad. Whether, the menu is traditional or continental; this salad tastes well with every type of cuisine. Happy Meal!

Russian Salad

Ingredients:

-  Apples          2-3

-  Pineapple chunks 1 cup

-  Potatoes          2

-  Carrots          2

-  Peas          1 cup

-  Salt as per taste

-  Grinded white pepper          1 teaspoon

-  Sugar          1 tablespoon

-  Lemon Juice   2 tablespoons

-  Mayonnaise          1 cup

-  Fresh cream  1/4 cup

For garnishing

-  Roasted raisins          accordingly

-  Walnuts          accordingly

METHOD:

-  Chop all the fruits and vegetables.

- Boil the potatoes, carrots and peas separately in water. Allow the carrots and peas to cook for 3-5 minutes.

- Whilst boiling, add sugar to retain freshness.

- Mix all the fruits and vegetables, and then add lemon juice, salt, white pepper and more sugar.

- Now, whip the cream and mix it with mayonnaise.

- Add the fruits, vegetables and chunks of boiled chicken in it.

- Refrigerate until chilled.

Presentation

Layer a bowl with salad leaves and take out the chilled salad into it.

Then, garnish it with roasted walnuts and raisins.

Go organic!

Eco-sensitive living and environment friendly organic products are the way to go. Recently, the students of TCF organised an exhibition catering to 'handmade' jute and recycled paper home accessories... 

By Fatima Zehra
Photography by 
Zahid Rehman

Over here, the trend of 'going organic' has caught on the fancy of some of our friends but the prevalent environmental degradation and our pollution-ridden surroundings demand that eco-sensitive living and environment friendly organic products are the way to go!

In the west, starting with organic diet, the organic movement has grown from its small beginnings into a large movement fuelled by people's desire to lead a healthier lifestyle. Once you start examining the food you eat, it is a short step to examine the other products that we use in our homes etc.

Locally however, we need to be sensitised as far as environment friendly organic products are concerned. A lot of awareness needs to be created here regarding recycling and opting for re-useable products.

Nowadays if you go shopping in any local mall you will find a wide range of organic household products or fashion accessories. You may come across some rare collection of jute cushions, jute handbags or perhaps even footwear with jute straps!

Recently, an exclusive collection of jute and recycled paper products by the name of handmades were on display at a local restaurant in Karachi, prepared by the students of The Citizens Foundation (TCF). Every summer, the organisation engages its students in extracurricular activities to hone their aesthetic senses. This year, the organisation initiated handmades with the help of Pivot Point and Thal Jute. A 12 member team along with different volunteers taught the girls to make innovative organic products.

The label made its debut with this exhibition. From gorgeous greeting cards (and their vibrant coloured envelopes) made out of recycled paper to jute home accessories, these fine products seemed to be an instant hit with the ladies visiting with friends and families.

 "We asked all the women working here to give away the ribbons, gota, buttons, laces etc. from their sewing boxes and bags at home. We asked for everything they can possibly spare - some of them even gave in their broken pieces of artificial, funky jewellery. We have re-used all these precious items in our products," proudly claims Neelam Habib, one of the managers at the organisation. "It was exciting to check out the expressions of fellow colleagues when they suddenly spot one of their old buttons or part of some forgotten lace or ribbon re-used in one of our jute pouches or table mats."

The exhibition included accessories like creatively done napkin rings, complete sets of table mats, pouches, hand bags, decorative bottles, wall hangings, greeting cards, tiny adorable gift cards and recycled paper gift sheets. Some beautiful foil chimes, flowers and foil wall hangings made by the students during the summer camp were sold like hot cakes.

Saher Pirwai who is doing her A' Levels and Sana Safdar who is in Karachi during her summer break from Canada also volunteered for the venture. "Thal Jute provided us with the material and once we started designing stuff, the ideas just kept on pouring in. Jute is so much fun to work with in the sense that so many different products can be designed from this one basic material. And the same can be said for recycled paper," says Neelam.

There are lessons to be learnt from this initiative. It's about time our interior designers should take up the cause of eco-sensitive living and environmental friendly lifestyles. If they get set to 'go organic', their clientele is bound to pick up the trend.

For some thrill in your life...

Wondering what you should do over the weekend? Take your family to a cinema house near you. They are playing some real cool action filled entertainers this summer...

The reason I love science fiction so much is because itís the only genre that allows you unlimited access to your imagination.î

       - Steven Spielberg

All you movie buffs, what's keeping you busy this summer? Ah! Hollywood has brought a series of action packed ventures keeping the local cinemagoers hooked to the theatres. Be it Fantastic Four, Die Hard 4 or Transformers, the three have been doing great business all over the world.

TRANSFORMERS:

Starting off with the Transformers; it's all about robots  - both good and evil. For centuries, two races of robotic aliens - the Autobots and the Decepticons - have waged a war, with the fate of the universe at stake. When the battle comes to Earth, all that stands between the evil Decepticons and ultimate power is a clue held by young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf). Unaware that he alone is mankind's last chance for survival, Sam and his friend Mikaela (Megan Fox) find themselves in a tug of war between the Autobots and Decepticons following the motto - 'No sacrifice, no victory!'

A DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures presentation, it stars Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Megan Fox, Rachael Taylor and Jon Voight.

It gained the public appreciation for their presentation of robots. They worked on their types and their appearance where one type had bigger ears to give them a samurai look. The art department did deep facial studies paying close attention to details like the eye sockets and mouth movements in different expressions.

Commenting on director Michael Bay, Spielberg says, "Michael is the perfect director for Transformers. He really had a feel for this material and had a focused vision for what this franchise could look like as a movie."

DIE HARD 4:

As the name implies, it is the fourth movie of the successful Bruce Willis series Die Hard. Obviously, high hopes were attached with this flick before its release and it managed to keep those hopes alive with its interesting storyline and stirring performances.

After an introductory five minutes designed to establish McClane's (Bruce Willis) fraught relationship with his daughter Lucy (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) - which is the film's weakest sequence - Die Hard 4 then takes off at full velocity and over the next two or so hours of relentless big-screen fury, it will not stop even once to hover, let alone to land in boredom.

As the centre of today's civilisation is paralysed with the touch of a button, the movie makes the poetic case that it takes an old-school reluctant hero to save the day. Die Hard 4 is as good as, if not better than, the original, and sets a very high bar for the whole action genre. Old habits, it seems, really die hard.

FANTASTIC FOUR:

Tim Story's Fantastic Four is back with The Rise of the Silver Surfer making a worldwide theatrical gross of $330 million. It became one of Twentieth Century Fox's most successful DVD titles ever.

With this, they have introduced a new character in the movie, the Silver Surfer. It is a rare sequel that's better than the original - with more excitement, drama, humour and action. The writer has even tried to further explore the characters in their lives. They're much better off financially, but they are dealing with the downside of celebrity fame.

A lot of the comic book movies that have come out are set in one city but this time they have worked on a larger canvas. They're more explorers and travellers than they are superheroes to a certain extent.  They're going to Shanghai and all over Europe.  It's just one of the coolest things about this comic book that have set this movie apart from the rest. 

If you are on the look out for some spine chilling action and eye popping graphics, this is your pick of the day. Get yourself a ticket for the flick at your nearest theatre and take your kids along. They will thank you for a fun filled evening

--F. Zee